In New Video, Attorney General Hails Finding as â€˜Significant Milestoneâ€™ That Shows Crime and Incarceration Levels Can Be Reduced at Same Time

Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the number of persons under the supervision of adult correctional systems in the United States has fallen to its lowest level since 2003.Â This finding is highlighted in a study to be released today by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

According to the study, an estimated 6,899,000 persons were under the supervision of adult correctional systems at year end 2013, down from 6,940,500 at year end 2012. The decrease of 41,500 offenders in 2013 resulted in the number of persons under correctional supervision falling below 6.9 million for the first time since 2003.

The Attorney General called the drop a â€œsignificant milestone.â€

â€œWhile we clearly have much more work to do, it is my hope that we are witnessing the start of an overall trend that will continue â€“ and accelerate â€“ as our reform efforts take full effect,â€ the Attorney General said. â€œAs I have said many times, we cannot incarcerate our way to becoming a safer nation.Â Thatâ€™s why we need to focus on commonsense sentencing reforms and on proven, evidence-based solutions like diversion programs for those convicted of low-level, nonviolent offenses.â€

The complete text of the Attorney Generalâ€™s video message is below:

â€œThe Department of Justice is dedicated to ensuring that Americaâ€™s criminal justice system is as fair, as efficient, and as effective as possible.Â Thatâ€™s why, in August of 2013, I launched the â€œSmart on Crimeâ€ Initiative â€“ a targeted effort to enhance the way we charge, sentence, and release individuals in order to end this countryâ€™s overreliance on incarceration and to promote efforts that give people the tools they need to return to their communities and lead better and more productive lives.

â€œIn the six years since President Obama took office, we have made important progress in fighting crime and advancing our long-term criminal justice efforts.Â In fact, during this Administration, overall crime has decreased by over 15 percent, while overall incarceration has decreased by nearly 9 percent â€“ the first time these two critical markers have declined together in more than 40 years.Â And just two months ago, I was able to report that over the past year, the federal prison population declined by roughly 5,000 inmates â€“ the first decrease weâ€™ve seen in many â€Ždecades.â€Ž

â€œToday, I can announce that the number of persons supervised by U.S. adult correctional systems â€“ in prison or jail, or on probation or parole â€“ fell below 6.9 million individuals at the end of 2013.Â This drop leaves the United States with the smallest population under the authority of adult correctional supervision in nearly a decade.

â€œThis is a significant milestone.Â It is highlighted in a study to be released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics.Â And while we clearly have much more work to do, it is my hope that we are witnessing the start of an overall trend that will continue â€“ and accelerate â€“ as our reform efforts take full effect.

â€œAs I have said many times, we cannot incarcerate our way to becoming a safer nation.Â Thatâ€™s why we need to focus on commonsense sentencing reforms and on proven, evidence-based solutions like diversion programs for those convicted of low-level, nonviolent offenses.Â We are seeing this approach take root in states across the country, as more and more governors and legislatures recognize that incarceration must be used to punish, deter, and rehabilitateâ€”not merely to warehouse and forget.Â And here in Washington, D.C., I am proud to work with leaders in Congress from both parties to advance this vital conversation and bring about a paradigm shift in the way our nation approaches criminal justice.

â€œOf course, I recognize that these are challenging issues, and the changes we seek will not occur overnight.Â But I am dedicated â€“ and the Department of Justice is committed â€“ to an ongoing effort that strengthens our criminal justice system; lives up to our founding ideals; and builds the safer, more just society that all Americans deserve.â€

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Welcome to CopyLine Magazine! The first issue of CopyLine Magazine was published in November, 1990, by Editor & Publisher Juanita Bratcher. CopyLine’s main focus is on the political arena – to inform our readers and analyze many of the pressing issues of the day - controversial or otherwise. Our objectives are clear – to keep you abreast of political happenings and maneuvering in the political arena, by reporting and providing provocative commentaries on various issues. For more about CopyLine Magazine, CopyLine Blog, and CopyLine Television/Video, please visit juanitabratcher.com, copylinemagazine.com, and oneononetelevision.com. Bratcher has been a News/Reporter, Author, Publisher, and Journalist for 33 years. She is the author of six books, including “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor” (Harold Washington), Chicago’s first African-American mayor; and “Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders,” about John Herman Stroger, Jr., the first African-American elected President of the Cook County Board. Bratcher is also a Poet/Songwriter, with 17 records – produced by HillTop Records of Hollywood, California. Juanita Bratcher Publisher